The toll from the cruise boat disaster at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur has risen to 11 after two young boys were found dead on Saturday, deepening the scale of the tragedy and intensifying both rescue operations and scrutiny over safety practices.
Authorities confirmed that the latest victims include six-year-old Viraj Soni and five-year-old Tamil, whose bodies were recovered during ongoing search efforts. Identification procedures are still being completed in accordance with protocol. Meanwhile, Tamil’s father Kamraj and another child, Mayuram, remain missing, keeping search teams focused on locating those still unaccounted for.
The accident occurred on Thursday evening when a state tourism-operated vessel capsized amid a sudden storm, making it one of the most serious boating incidents reported in the region in recent times. The combination of strong winds and turbulent waters caused the boat to lose stability and overturn, trapping several passengers.
A large-scale rescue and recovery operation is underway, involving more than 200 personnel. Teams include divers from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force, along with Army divers who were airlifted from Agra to assist in deep-water searches. The operation resumed early Saturday, although adverse weather conditions briefly disrupted efforts. Officials have expanded the search zone to a radius of nearly five kilometres as they comb through the reservoir.
Investigators have identified 41 passengers who were on board the vessel, with 28 rescued alive. However, CCTV footage from the boarding point suggests that as many as 43 individuals may have approached the boat, raising further questions about passenger accounting and oversight.
Survivors have alleged lapses in safety procedures, particularly claiming that life jackets were not distributed promptly before the vessel capsized. These claims have brought attention to possible negligence in operational protocols followed by the state tourism department, especially during adverse weather conditions.
In response, authorities have initiated a formal inquiry into the incident. Three crew members associated with the operation of the vessel have been dismissed, and similar boating services have been temporarily suspended across the state as a precautionary measure. Officials have indicated that a formal case will be registered as the investigation progresses.
Postmortem examinations have been completed for several victims, while efforts remain concentrated on locating the missing and establishing a clear sequence of events. According to Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Anjul Ayank Mishra, the immediate priority continues to be the recovery of those still missing, with additional equipment and personnel being deployed to support deep-water search operations.
